I cant quite find the exact moment but jester says something about how even though caleb didnt have the 17 years the others had. He's reached this high point in just a year. He's got there without that circle. But with his adventures with m9.

And that's really fucking amazing narratively because that message from her, lines up so thematically with what caddy was saying. 'its not pain that helps. its love that teaches.'

All the pain trent could ever inflict on the others.. it isnt working

because here's caleb. He's only known m9 for a year. But what an important fucking year its been. full of growth and slowly letting himself love and be loved.

And through all of that. He now stands there. looking ternt in his eye. It was love not pain, that made Caleb stronger.